Michael A. Smith, MD - Is Processed Fructose Stealing Your Smarts?
June 1, 2012 A new study from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) shows that what you eat can influence how you think.
Specifically, the researchers were worried about all of the fructose in the American diet. They reported that eating a diet heavy in processed fructose over the long term alters your brain’s ability to learn and remember information.
Let’s start by looking at fructose itself. What is it, and is it ever okay to eat it?
Fructose is a Natural Fruit Sugar
Fructose in its natural form is called fruit sugar. It’s a simple sugar found in many plants and is one of the three dietary monosaccharides, along with glucose and galactose. These simple sugars are absorbed directly into the bloodstream during digestion and can be used for immediate cellular energy.
From plant sources, fructose is found naturally in honey, tree and vine fruits, flowers, berries and most root vegetables. In plants, fructose may be present naturally as the monosaccharide or as a component of sucrose.
Here’s the point we’re trying to make: Fructose in its natural form is not the problem. In nature, sugars can be found in foods that are also rich in antioxidants and fiber. And those accompanying nutrients can help minimize the impact of natural sugar.
Read More:
http://blog.lef.org/2012/05/processed-fructose-brain-power.html
